Pretty disappointed. The flag pictured on-line appears to have a "wave" ... what I received was sharply folded/creased ... the stars and blue hardly showed. Customer service responded to my complaint with "the flag is designed with a fold" ... simply did NOT resemble the advertisement pic at all. I will make use of the include spotlight but the flag will NOT be going into my layout. I will keep an eye out in brick and mortar stores and train shows to see if I can find one closer to a wavy looking flag.
Excellent detail and slow speed performance.This is my first Rapido locomotive. I am just about BLI only. These are in the same upper class of locomotives. The best part was reading thier documentation. It’s well written and extensive. The best part was their sense of humor. These guys get it. It’s all about the fun and enjoyment. I laughed so hard there was tears coming down - cry laughing.
Customers have reported increasing rates of “porch pirate” package thefts. Extend™ Shipping Protection replaces any lost, damaged, or stolen packages, and we recommend adding this protection to your order. FDH is unable to recover lost, damaged, or stolen packages that are not covered by Extend™ Shipping Protection.
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Broadway Limited Imports HO 9866 GE ES44AC Diesel Locomotive with Smoke, CSX Spirit of West Springfield #3099 (Paragon4 Sound & DCC Equipped)
Part of GE's "Evolution Series" (commonly referred to as a "GEVO"), the GE ES44AC is a six-axle, 12-cylinder, 4,400-horsepower diesel locomotive. With nearly 8,000 units produced, it stands as one of General Electric's best-selling locomotive designs. In addition to widespread use in North America, these locomotives have also been exported to countries such as Brazil, Kazakhstan, Australia, and Egypt.
In this production run of HO Scale ES44s, we are bringing several striking paint schemes to HO scale. These include ACL, C&O and Chessie System CSX Heritage Units, CSX #3099 "Spirit of West Springfield," FEC's modern Grupo Mexico Scheme, Iowa Interstate's 30th Anniversary "Rock Island" Paint, and a fun US Navy-inspired fantasy paint scheme.
All models will be available to purchase with our Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC system, or in our "Stealth Series" No-Sound / DCC-Ready configuration. Each model boasts road-specific details and individually controllable lights, including:
Industry-leading Model Features: Paragon4 Sound & Control System featuring ROLLING THUNDER Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for superb slow-speed operation in DC and DCC Variable intensity, user-adjustable smoke Precision drive mechanism engineered for heavy towing and smooth slow-speed operation All-wheel electrical pick-up ABS body with die-cast chassis for maximum tractive effort Premium caliber painting Prototypically accurate paint schemes and road numbers Many separately applied details such as handrails, grab irons, horn, bell, wipers, and etched metal grills Operating smoke unit Prototypical light operation —accurate for each paint scheme Prototypically accurate sounds for the GE ES44AC diesel locomotive Metal Kadee-compatible couplers (2) Will operate on Code 70, Code 83, and Code 100 rail Minimum operating radius: 18 inches
Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: the new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-sound equipped locomotives feature the all-new Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4 locomotive comes with BLI's own integral DCC decoder factory installed. Paragon4 locomotives offer dual-mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable electrical pick-up, industry-best onboard sound with Rolling Thunder functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher Mode for precise low-speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, and the same excellent detail level you've come to expect from Broadway Limited Imports.
Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features: Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC sound) Built-in extra capacitance to navigate imperfect track Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on the model Switcher Mode for precise low-speed control Record & Play Operation – records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation High-resolution audio Quillable horn for various whistle lengths and patterns Choice of 3 selectable horns Alternate whistle/horn where applicable for locomotives with both air horn and steam whistle Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command Grade crossing automatic signal Automatic forward/reverse signal Prime mover sound intensity varies with load Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect EZ Reset button for quick return to factory default settings **Specifications on this page subject to change.
Payment & Security
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Refund Policy
Return & Refund Policy
Effective October 1, 2025
Factory Direct Hobbies has a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after your item has shipped to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and in its original packaging. All manuals, parts, and accessories must be included.
To start a return, visit our Returns Center. If your return is approved, we'll email you instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted and will be returned to sender.
Defective or Damaged Items
If your product is defective, damaged, or we made an error, you can return it at no cost.
Whenever possible, defective items are routed directly to the distributor for credit. If that’s not an option, items may be returned to Arden as a fallback.
Refunds are issued to your original payment method. If the original method is unavailable, store credit will be issued. After six months, only store credit is available.
Returns Due to Ordering Mistakes
This applies to incorrect scale, color, size, or duplicate orders:
Store Credit: 10% restocking fee, customer responsible for returning shipping.
Refund to Original Payment: 15% restocking fee, customer responsible for returning shipping.
Our Error Exception: If FDH shipped the wrong item, no restocking fee or return shipping charge applies.
Loose Track, Components, O Scale, and Special Orders
Returns of loose track, small components, O scale items, and special-order items incur a 15% restocking fee. Return shipping is deducted whether you choose store credit or a refund.
Damages and Issues
Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged, or if you receive the wrong item, so we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exceptions / Non-Returnable Items
Gift cards and digital/downloadable products
Items marked final sale, clearance, or otherwise non-returnable on the product page
Items that have been used, modified, or are missing parts, manuals, or original packaging
Some manufacturers handle warranty issues directly. If that applies, we’ll help you contact them
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have and place a new order for the replacement on our website. Please note that we cannot process manual exchanges over the phone.
Refunds and Processing Time
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved.
Approved refunds are issued within 7–10 business days.
Refunds go to your original payment method when possible. In some cases, store credit may be issued instead.
Your bank or card issuer may take additional time to process and post the refund.
Orders Placed Before October 1, 2025
Orders placed before this date follow the previous return policy.
Need Help?
If you have questions about a return or warranty, please contact our support team and include your order number so we can assist you quickly.
Get 5% back on all your purchases! We like to keep it simple and believe points unnecessarily complicate things.
Preorder FAQs
How preorders work
Guarantee your reservation on any item marked with the red "Preorder item" flag, by paying just 10% down. Preorder items also display a date badge indicating the anticipated arrival.
We will email your invoice approximately 30-45 days before your preorder item lands at the warehouse. This interactive invoice will allow you to select your preferred shipping method, and pay the balance of your order, right online!
We'll ship you your preorder once your item arrives at our warehouse. Preorder fulfillments are queued in the order in which they were paid for.
Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.
As our preorder offerings have grown, we’ve found that a large percentage of preorder reservations are canceled or left unpaid without notice. We pay our suppliers for every preorder item that arrives at our warehouse, so when a customer does not pay for their item, we are left no choice but to absorb that cost. We have tried our best to cope with the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so.
We understand that this is an unwelcome change, and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies. We must now ask that customers pay a 10% good-faith down payment toward the price of their item. This non-refundable good-faith payment is applied to the price of the product, and the balance (plus shipping and any applicable taxes) will be invoiced approximately 30-45 days before the item is slated to arrive at our warehouse.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.
The good-faith down payment is not refundable if you choose to cancel your preorder or do not pay your invoice.
However, if a manufacturer cancels a project for which you have made a down payment, you will receive a refund for your down payment.
Yes. We know that paying ahead of time can be unnerving when delivery dates are distant, and not every project makes it to the production line. Rest assured that, in the event the manufacturer cancels your preorder project, you will be refunded your 10% down payment.
Hobbies should be fun, not stressful!
The manufacturing process involves many different moving parts, and this complexity often renders production timelines unpredictable. Therefore, some level of unpredictability in timing is inherent to preordering hobby products. Down payments are not refundable in cases of routine manufacturing, delivery, or other short-term delays.
However, we know it can be frustrating when a project gets delayed for many months. In the event a project is delayed more than 6 months beyond the delivery window originally estimated by the manufacturer, we will handle refunds of down payments on a case-by-case basis.
Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.
Nope! The policy is not retroactive: if you already made a preorder reservation before this policy update, you do not owe a down payment for that reservation. However, any future preorders you make will require the 10% good-faith down payment.
We make every effort to keep our website updated with information that reflects manufacturers' current estimated delivery schedules. To find the estimated delivery month of an item, you can visit our Preorder Section and use the filters to narrow down your selection.
However, we encourage you to directly visit the manufacturer's site for the most current delivery dates.
Approximately 30-45 days before your preorder items land at the warehouse, we'll email your invoice to you to pay in full. At this point, you'll be able to provide your shipping address and select your preferred shipping method.
Your item will be reserved for 7 days, beginning when your invoice is sent. After 7 days, your preorder will be canceled.
Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. We have tried our best to absorb the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.
As a result, we must now ask that customers pay in full prior to the supplier finalizing shipment to FDH, about 30-45 days ahead of product arrival. This gives us the time we need to cancel with our suppliers any unpaid orders prior to shipment.
We understand that this is an unwelcome change and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies.
One silver lining is that this change will result in preorder items getting to your door even faster, as all payment processing will be well out of the way and the usual several day wait after product has arrived will be eliminated. We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.
Manufacturing schedules can sometimes be unpredictable. In the event your preorder item does not arrive at our warehouse within 60 days of your invoice payment, then you will have the option to cancel your preorder and receive a refund OR you may elect to continue waiting for the item.
Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.
We know life happens, and missing out on a great item can be a drag!
We're here to help; just contact us via the gold chat bubble and we'll do all we can to work with you!
If you have an account with factorydirecthobbies.com, you can view all your preorders, as well as your active orders. Login to your account, and select the “My orders” option. All your preorders and active orders will be listed along with the current status of each order. If you have further questions about your order, please feel free to reach out to us through the gold chat bubble.
Although we try to keep our preorder arrival estimates as accurate as possible, we encourage you to visit each manufacturer’s website to find the most up-to-date delivery information.
For instance, with Athearn and Walthers, you can enter the part number into their websites and navigate to the item. Most of the time, the delivery date will be listed there. Broadway Limited has a published delivery schedule, as does Rapido.
Rewards and Preorders
Yes. Rewards can be used on both your 10% good-faith down payment and on the balance of your preorder at invoicing time.
Yes! Preorders are awarded reward dollars at the same 5% rate. You'll receive your reward within several days of paying the balance of your preorder invoice.
Still more questions?
If we still haven't answered your question, please click the gold messaging bubble in the bottom right of our site, and we'll help in any way we can!
